"This would be a quantum shift in the capacity of the city, and we certainly don't have a five-star hotel at the moment. The issues are really around, is it appropriate in that spot? And that's what the hearing's about."

He agrees there are also concerns around the hotel's proposed height – 96m – and location.

"It would clearly tower above anything else in the city at the moment," says Mr Cull, "and it's quite close to an area called the Warehouse Precinct, which is the old 19th century warehouse and commercial area of Dunedin, which we're currently revitalising.

"There's some concern about the juxtaposition of the two. Personally, I don't think that is an issue. There's plenty of instances around the world where contemporary architecture sits quite happily beside heritage architecture."

Another issue that has been raised is that its location – Wharf St – sits on reclaimed land, with one architect saying if there was a quake, Dunedin could have its very own Hotel Grand Chancellor.

But the concerns don't appear to bother Mr Cull.

"From a personal point of view, I rather like it. But clearly that's a subjective view – other people can't stand it. So let's see what the resource consent hearing finds."